Aerial top.



P. K. WILLIAMS.

' AERIAL TOP;

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14. 191i- Patented Apr. 30, 191i}.

EVAN/141301 PETER KlmLlIA'b Ifi AERIAL TOP.

incense.

i1 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that Pnrnn K. VVILLIAMs, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aerial Tops, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improve ments in aerial tops, and particularly to an improved spinning device therefor. The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device for this purpose which is comparatively inexpensive, durable, and sim ple in construction and operation.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention, a modified form of the spinning device, and also a modified form of the releasing device, all constructed according to desirable modes that I have thus fardevised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a sideelevation of the top and spinning device complete. 7

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the invention as embodied in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a modified form of the spinning device with a cord substituted for the actuating spring.

Fig. 5 illustrates a slidable release detent that may be substituted for the pivoted detent or trigger of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 illustrates a further modification of the handle and spool.

In the preferred embodiment of the in vention as exemplified in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, I have illustrated a flying or aerial top 1 made of light metal or other suitable material, preferably hollow, and formed with triangularly arranged wings 2, 2, 2, that are integral with the body of the top and project radially therefrom, and are fashioned with the proper inclination or pitch to enable them to lift the top when rapidly rotated. Through its center the top has a metal tube 3, the upper closed end of which is provided with a rectangular or oblong slot 4:, while the lower open end of the tube terminates in a central opening 5 in the lower or pointed end of the top. Within Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

Application filed July 14, 1917. Serial No. 180,531.

this opening and incasing the lower end of the tube is a movable sleeve 6 which is the spinning point of the top, taking the place of the usual plug upon which the ordinary top spins. The upper end of this sleeve, which is located inside the hollow body of the top, is provided with a flange 7 and the tube 3 has a fixed collar 8, while between this flange and collar is interposed the helical spring 8 by means of which the shocks are absorbed when the top alights. This cushion device in addition to absorbing shocks, also causes the top to jump up and down, or dance after first alighting, and when the spinning top encounters certain obstructions or irregularities in the floor. The top may have the usual slots 10 in the under face of its body to cause the humming sound and also to retard the descent of the top.

The essence of the present invention resides in the spinning device illustrated. which will now be described. The spinning device comprises a metal spindle 11 formed at its upper end with a screw or twisted stem- 12, and at its lower end with a flattened head 18, while a spoollt, of wood, is fixed on the spindle as by the transverse pin 15. Below the spool is arranged the handle 16 which is revoluble on the spindle,

or rather the-handle is hollow to permit the spindle to revolve within it. The upper end of the spool is formed with a flange or shoulder 17 and about the periphery of the spool. a spring 18 is coiled having its end 18 fixed to the spool, and its lower end 19 adapted to engage in a notch 20 at the upper end of the handle. Thus the spool may be turned on the handle, the spindle revolving in the handle, and the spring is wound up or placed under tension. A detent or trigger 21 is pivoted in a notch at the upper end of the handle, being pressed into engagement with a notch 22 in the spool by a spring 23. In operating the device, the handle may be grasped in the left hand with the thumb holding the detent out of engagement with the spool, while the spool is grasped by right hand, the shoulder or flange 17 being utilized to turn the spool, and with it, thespindle, against the tension of the spring. After the spring is wound, the detent or trigger is caused to engage the slotted spool and hold it while the top is placed over the upper end or stem of the spindle and permitted to rest on the top of the spool.

I by its engagement with slot 4 of the top,

causes the top to be spun or revolved, and the top being otherwisefree on spindle is screwed off the twisted stem and is thus lifted from the spindle, the wings revolving bodily with the top then aid in lifting the top in the air, as readily understood.

In Fig. 4 the spindle 24 is provided with a fly wheel or balance wheel 25 at its lower end, and the device is grasped by the handle .26 While the spool 26 on the spindle is turned by pulling the wound cord 27 cansing the spool and spindle to revolve as indicated by the arrow.

In Fig. 5 the spool 28- has a notch 29 in which the slidable spring pressed plunger 01' latch 30, carried by the handle 81, is adapted to engage to retain the-spool in wound position, thus performingthe same function as the spring trigger in Fig. 2.

For convenience of illustration, the spinning device herein shown is larger than necessary in proportion to the size of the top, and it will be understood that such device maybe much smaller in proportion in actual use. The screw stein in Figs. 1 and 2 will be longer than that indicated therein, the brevity of the stem being caused by the restriction as to size of drawing sheet,

and other changes, as for instance, in the number of wings, the shape and style of wings, or other. forms of tops such as flying torpedoes or other kinds of flying machines without departing from the spirit of my invention.

A still further modification of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 6 wherein the handle 32 encompasses the shank 83 and the shank has the threaded or twisted stem 34:.

The upper part of the handle is bored out at 35 to accommodate the spring 36 which is located therein with one end 87 fixed to the handle, and the other end 38 is attached to the disk 39 which takes the place of the spool 14 in this instance. The .disk is attached to the revoluble shank by pin 40 and rotates therewith, and a trigger or detent ail, spring pressed, and adapted to engage in one of the notches 4:2 in the disk,

holds the spring wound disk, and releases it when desired.

The twists or threads on the shank may be either right or left hand threads, as desired, and of course the wings on the top will correspond therewith so that the top may be spun properly.

What I claim is 1. A spinning device con'lprising a handle and a spindle revoluble therein, a sppol fixed on the spindle, a spring with its ends operatively attached to the spool and handle and adapted to be placed under tension by winding the spool, means for restraining the spool after the spring is wound under tension, means for operating the restraining means to release the spool, and said spindle having means for spinning a top and impelling the top from the spindle.

2. A spinning device comprising a handle and a spindle revoluble therein, said spindle having a i'ree end fashioned as a screwstem anda spool fixed on the spindle, a spring with its ends attached to the spool and handle, a spring pressed detent on the handle adapted to engage a notch on the spool for restraining the spool after its spring is wound under tension and for releasing said spool, and the screw stem of the spindle adapted to spin a top having a slot co-aoting with the screw stem.

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature.

PETER K. lVILLIAMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

